The Department of Biochemistry was established in 1965 as Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Initially, the thrust was to enhance the awareness of masses about the use of quality foods, through short courses, lectures and film shows in Applied Human Nutrition Programme and was then modified to suit the future teaching and research priorities. Strong research groups were established to work on research projects on carbohydrates, lipids, protein and polyphenols, and infrastructure for teaching and research in Biochemistry was created. The department was separated from Chemistry in 1971. The department has well-qualified faculty with a basic background in agriculture and basic sciences. Currently, the department offers both M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Biochemistry. The department is also offering undergraduate courses to the B.Sc. students of the College of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Community Science.

So far, more than 817 M.Sc. and 180 Ph.D. students have been awarded degrees and are working in different areas ranging from academics and administration to defense services. Many of them are holding coveted positions both in India and abroad and brought laurels to this Department. The faculty has bagged prestigious awards and recognitions like the Academic Staff Commonwealth Fellowship (UK), German Academic Exchange Fellowship (DAAD, Germany), Fellowships of Indian National Science Academy (FNA), National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), M I Biol (London), International Scientific Exchange Award, Canada, Nestle Food Scientist Award. The Department has Local Chapters of Society of Biological Chemists of India, Bangalore and Society of Agricultural Biochemists, Kanpur. These societies and Alumni Association of the department holds lectures of eminent scientists and symposiums for scientific discussion among the scientists and students.

The Departmental Library caters to the needs of students as well as the teachers. The department has published about 1600 research papers in journals of National and International repute besides publishing books.

The Department has State of the Art Molecular Biology Laboratory equipped with sophisticated instruments like UV visible, spectrophotometer, 2-D Electrophoresis, HPLC, Ultracentrifuge, Gel Documentation System, PCR, Biophotometer, Deep freezer, Chlorophyll Fluorescence Meter, Lyophilizer, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, tissue culture lab, and Hybridization Oven to work on the biochemical and molecular aspects of tolerance to various types of abiotic and biotic stresses.